Leica Camera has announced the new Leica M10-R, the highest-resolution colour Leica M camera, with a new 40.8mp CMOS sensor. The camera features a 40mp CMOS sensor, with colour Bayer filter, and no low-pass filter (for increased resolution). Leica claims that the new sensor offers a wider dynamic range in Raw mode and less noise than previous M10 bodies.
The ISO range is ISO100 to ISO50,000, and the camera shoots Raw (DNG), JPEG and has a 2GB buffer for up to 10 pictures in series, which can be taken at 4.5 frames per second. Like the Leica M10 Monochrom and the M10-P, the ‘R’ has the quietest shutter of any M-series camera (film bodies included).
The US price is $8,295 and it is now available for pre-order at B&H, Adorama. Shipping is scheduled to start at the end of July 2020.
Leica M10-R Key Features
- 40.89mp full-frame colour sensor, w/o low-pass filter
- 3inch touch-screen, 1036K pixels
- ISO100 to ISO50,000
- Long exposure up to 16 minutes (960s)
- Raw (DNG), JPEG shooting
- Thin M10 body design
- Very quiet shutter (from M10-P)
- Top left ISO dial
- Leica FOTOs connectivity
Press release
LEICA CAMERA ELEVATES IMAGE QUALITY WITH NEW M10-R
A new 40-megapixel color sensor brings broader capabilities into the creative landscape
July 16, 2020 – Leica Camera introduces a new high-resolution version of the company’s legendary rangefinder camera, expanding vivid creative possibilities from the most human moments in street photography to the most epic landscapes. With its unique 40 megapixel color sensor, the new Leica M10-R delivers enhanced rendition of details to fully explore the optical excellence of the legendary Leica M lenses. This new flagship expands the M10 family, which includes the M10, M10-P, M10-D and M10 Monochrom, and achieves maximum image output without compromising the tenets of M photography.
The M10-R’s newly developed 40 megapixel sensor represents a considerable increase from the 24 megapixels of the M10, and yet the M10-R offers significantly reduced image noise as well as a wider dynamic range. The sensitivity range of this new sensor, from ISO 100 to 50000, ensures it can be used in any situation a photographer may need. That base ISO of 100 helps allow bright light photos where the aperture can be kept wide-open for better background blur and bokeh, while on the other side of the spectrum the maximum exposure time has been increased to 16 minutes for more creative freedom with long exposures in the darkest light. Complementing the Leica M10-R’s imaging prowess and handling is its super quiet mechanical shutter, inherited from the M10-P. Its whisper-quiet operation helps the user be stealthy, when capturing that decisive moment requires the utmost discretion, and its minimal vibrations reduce the risk of camera shake to help yield sharper pictures.
As with all of Leica’s rangefinder cameras, the construction of the M10-R involves a large amount of hand assembly utilizing the best quality materials by highly trained specialists, carried out at the company’s production plant in Wetzlar, Germany. This ensures that the large number of components – such as the complex rangefinder mechanism – not only perform with the utmost precision but are also particularly robust and long-lasting. A Leica M is synonymous with reliability and durability, making it a valuable long-term investment.
The Leica M10-R reaches its full potential when paired with its native Leica M lenses. The camera has the capacity to fully utilize the outstanding imaging performance of this legendary, longstanding lens range. The M10-R truly sings when paired with the newest generation of Leica’s technical marvels of optics, such as the APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH., capturing photographs of a truly exceptional quality. Concurrently, the M10-R’s newfound heights of image quality and resolution also emphasizes the distinct characteristics of older M lenses, many of which are still cherished by vintage photography enthusiasts to this day.
The Leica M10-R will be available end of July at Leica Stores, Boutiques and Dealers for $8,295.00 in black chrome and silver chrome finishes.
